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2/6/2014 Rocket Ship Ska Trip

To do the RSST on the very day (Feb. 6) of the birthdays of Bob Marley, Derrick HarriottandYasutaka Nakata is the stuff of dreams for this crew, and it happens on the order of once every 7 years, so I’m pleased as punch despite the occasional technical glitchery (Deck 3 spontaneously freezing up mid-track, etc.) and other distractions. In addition to Bob, Rita Marley also found her way into the mix, and Derrick Morgan got playlist space in close proximity to Mr. Harriott. Harmonica ace Roy Richards rode The Wailers’ “Let Him Go” riddim with a tune called “Green Collie,” in addition to singing Bobby Darin’s “Dream Lover.” As we’ve noted here before, Green Collie’s not a dog… Sherwood got in an extended salute to Mr. Nakata featuring tracks by many of the numerous artists Nakata’s worked with/produced over the years, including Capsule (of whom he’s also a performing member), copter4016882, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Perfume. Incidentally, yes he produces MEG as well, but he did NOT produce “Wear I Am,” the title track of her album of the same name. That was the work of Miura Koshi, whose stuff we really need to find more of, as the higglety-pigglety all-over-the-mapness of that track is something we love around here! Turns out he records for Ryuichi (YMO) Sakamoto’s Commmons label, among others. So how did “Autumn Leaves” figure into the set? After all, autumn did just that (leave) way back in December… that’s just what it does… but the real reason was that at 6:30, Shiina Ringo’s cover of the famous French tune was just the right length to take us back aboard the Ska Ship for the Home Stretch at 4:40. We commenced the Stretch with a Lollipop all the way from Spain, by Los Antifaces (The Masks), called “Mi Chico Bombon”, which as i type this up, I’ve just learned is on a compilation called Skanish Sounnd – Jamaican-Influenced Music from Spain 1964-1972, on the Vampi Soul label. Back in the day, “Bombon” was the leadoff track on a 4-song 7” which also had “Dulce Guillermo” (Sweet William) on it. The GotchaSKAvered Ska Cover-of-the-Month Club selection for February is “Exodus”, this week done up by Bad Manners. Ska Goes Jazz on the 5@5:05, and elecro-swingers Caravan Palace are making a return trip to the Cedar Cultural Center (Sat 4/5), and this time I ain’t missin’ it for the world. We played their “Maniac” (not whatshisname’s) in the Stretch while Sherwood got in “Star Scat” and “Suzy.” Congrats are in order for Melbourne Ska Orchestra, who were awarded Album Of The Year in a Reggae Steady Ska webzine poll. Cool ‘zine, as I’ve found out! I’m gonna wrap-up this write-up and read some more of it… so ‘til next time, tune in and stay tuned!